Washington, DC - In response to the Kentucky House of Representatives voting to pass HB 520, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools released the following statement from its president and CEO, Nina Rees:
"Today, Kentucky took a significant step to increase the number of high-quality public schools available to the states students. The Kentucky House, by a vote of 56 to 39, passed HB 520, a bill that will allow charter public schools in the Bluegrass State for the first time.
"HB 520 draws upon many of the best practices in charter school laws that have been learned over the first quarter century of the charter school movement. The bill provides charter schools with the flexibility to innovate, while ensuring that charter schools will be held to a high standard of accountability for results.
"This forward movement could not have happened without the steady and determined leadership of Representative John Bam Carney, the Chairman of the House Education Committee. We thank him for his tireless commitment to the children of Kentucky, especially those most in need of great public school options.
"The collective efforts of our coalition of public charter school supporters was also critical to todays action, including the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Americans for Prosperity Kentucky, the Kentucky Pastors in Action Coalition, Greater Louisville Inc., the Foundation for Excellence in Education, the Campaign for School Equity, the National Association of Charter School Authorizers, and the National Alliance.
"We urge the Kentucky Senate to pass HB 520 without amendments and send it to Governor Matt Bevin for his signature as soon as possible."
About the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is the leading national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the public charter school movement. Our mission is to lead public education to unprecedented levels of academic achievement by fostering a strong charter sector. For more information, please visit www.publiccharters.org.